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Linda L. Bean, the granddaughter of famed outdoor retailer L.L. Bean who became an entrepreneur, philanthropist and conservative activist, has died at the age of 82.
Bean died Saturday, her business manager Veronica Carlson confirmed in a written statement Sunday. No cause was given.
“Linda was known for her incredible work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and pride and dedication to her home state of Maine and the company her grandfather founded, LLBean,” the statement said. “Our hearts go out to her family and her friends.”
Bean’s grandfather, Leon Leonwood Bean, founded the company in 1912. The company grew through its popular catalog and offered durable products such as rubber-soled boots with lifetime warranties.
Linda Bean served on the company’s board for nearly half a century. She also acquired a lobster store and in 2007 Perfect She Founded a Lobster Brand, opened a general store, inn, and vacation rentals on Maine’s central coast where she lived in Port Clyde. I owned it.
She led an effort to have Maine’s lobster industry certified as sustainable in 2013 by the Marine Stewardship Council, a London-based nonprofit organization. This certification was revoked in 2022 due to concerns about harm to whales.
Her philanthropic efforts include supporting the Maine Medical Helicopter LifeFlight and the Maine Botanical Garden in Boothbay, as well as promoting the life of early 20th century illustrator and artist N.C. Wyeth, father of the famous painter Andrew Wyeth; It included preserving family property.
“Linda Bean loved Maine. The art of our coastal communities, the islands, and especially the Wyeth family held a special place in her heart,” Republican Sen. Susan Collins said Sunday. said in a written statement. “Linda was also a savvy businesswoman who promoted Maine lobster through her restaurants. I sampled her famous lobster many times at her airport restaurant while she was waiting for a flight in Portland. I had lobster stew.”
Bean was also a major donor to Republican causes and ran unsuccessfully for Congress twice, in 1988 and 1992. She ran as an opponent of abortion rights, gay rights legislation, and gun control, and she believed tax cuts were needed to stimulate the economy.
She also supported efforts to repeal a Maine law that outlawed discrimination based on sexual orientation and called on the Pentagon to rescind an Obama-era policy allowing transgender people to serve in the military.
In 2017, the Federal Election Commission announced that Bean made excessive contributions to a political action committee that provided funds to support Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. This led some liberal groups to call for a boycott of LL Bean. She described it as harassment by “a few hard-core bullies on the West Coast of California, on the left coast, trying to control what we do, what we buy, what we buy.” What’s on sale in Maine? ”
Trump defended her and urged his supporters to buy the company’s products.
“Although her politics didn’t align with mine, Linda and I loved our home state, the Maine coast and vibrant waterfront, Maine-inspired art, and the perfect Maine… “We found common ground in our mutual love of lobster rolls,” Democrat Janet Mills said in a written statement. “I enjoyed her company and admired her business acumen.” On behalf of the people of Maine, we extend our deepest condolences to Linda’s family, her loved ones, and the entire LLBean community. ”
Information about survivors was not immediately available.
Copyright 2024 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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